Poetry and music tend to be thought of as separate entities in terms of how they are presented, but Shanelle Gabriel brings them both together for something amazing.

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, the Utica College alumna began her career as a Def Jam College promoter.

Gabriel was on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam which presents spoken word poets.  Typically, the music genre of rap can be observed from spoken word, however, Gabriel also incorporates soulful, almost R & B-esque components to her craft as well.  She is unique because she able to “rap” her poetry, then, mid-way through her performance, she passionately belts out soulful melodies.

Gabriel tours across the US, and quite frequently visits college campuses.  The Student Entertainment Awareness League (SEAL) will be hosting Gabriel at the UC-Down Under at UW—Whitewater.

The performance will be Thursday, April 7 at 8 p.m.  The event will be free.

Some of Gabriel’s most popular performances are “Why I Love You,” “Ingrown Hair” and “Start Something.”

The performer is a major advocate for Lupus awareness, and was herself diagnosed with it in 2004.  She maintains that the disease will not prevent her from doing what she finds passionate in life.  She also has workshops to empower others to follow their dreams and goals.

On her website she has said, “I want to be a testimony to others that no matter what, faith and determination can accomplish any goal.”